Plow and Pencil

Building Trust in Land & Legacy: Heck + HitchPin

In this episode, HitchPin’s Jess Smith sits down with Brian Pine from Heck, based in Lawrence, KS, to talk about his deep roots in farming, the transition into agricultural real estate, and the unique story behind the Black Hat Ranch listing. Together, they cover themes of family legacy, land as both an emotional and financial asset and how technology is reshaping agriculture and real estate.
02:19 – Staying Connected to AgricultureBrian explains how family farming ties and his passion for helping farmers keep him connected to the ag community.
04:03 – A Career Beyond FarmingAfter facing challenges leaving farming, Brian became a consultant, supporting producers with budgets, acquisitions and financial planning—later blending that expertise with real estate.
06:01 – Why Real Estate?Brian discusses his calling to real estate as a way to serve farm families, help them navigate emotional land transitions and bring his experience to guide generational decisions.
09:51 – Generational Land & Urban PressureJess and Brian reflect on the emotional weight of selling multi-generational farmland, especially with the pressures of urban expansion and land subdivision.
13:21 – Discovering HitchPinBrian recalls hearing HitchPin’s founder, Trevor, speak in 2019 and how shared values, tech innovation and Kansas roots inspired a partnership.
17:39 – The Role of Digital Tools in AgBrian highlights how tools like HitchPin speed up transactions, provide security, and connect producers with services and equipment, creating opportunities for all sizes of ag businesses.
22:32 – The Black Hat Ranch Story Brian gives a detailed overview of Black Hat Ranch in Douglas County—363 contiguous acres with dramatic elevation, Clinton Lake views, wildlife corridors and access to 75 miles of horse trails.
26:28 – Who is the Ideal Buyer?Potential buyers include hunters, ranchers, horse enthusiasts, outfitters and those seeking personal retreats—with strong interest given its proximity to Lawrence, Topeka, and Kansas City.
32:38 – The First Auction for Heck Real EstateBrian shares excitement about hosting Heck’s first independent auction (partnered with Gavel Roads), calling it a “drinking from the firehose” learning experience but a powerful milestone.
37:48 – Real Estate Trends in AgricultureDiscussion of post-COVID demand for rural living, investor interest in ag land and the challenges younger farmers face breaking into the market.
44:39 – Advice for Land BuyersBrian advises prospective buyers to set clear priorities, establish budgets early and choose an agent they can truly trust when navigating the complexities of rural real estate.
Featured Listing: Black Hat Ranch
Location: Douglas County, KS
Size: 363 contiguous acres
Highlights: Clinton Lake views, horse trail access, hunting and ranching potential
Auction Date: October 7 at 11 AM (hybrid: online + in-person at Venue 1235, Lawrence, KS)
LINK: https://www.hitchpin.com/for-sale/product/real-estate/kansas/12853

How Dan Rasure is Building a Business from the Ground Up—Literally

Most people don’t start a business with worms. But most people aren’t Dan Rasure. 
Dan is the founder of Fed N Happy, a company focused on helping farmers, ranchers, and gardeners build better soil through natural, regenerative products like worm castings and compost. What started as a curiosity about improving land and reducing waste has grown into a full-fledged business—and it’s changing the way we think about ag inputs. 
I got the chance to sit down with Dan for an episode of the Plow and Pencil Podcast, and what he shared was more than a story—it was a wake-up call for anyone in ag who’s been throwing away valuable resources without even realizing it. 
How It Started: A Curiosity Turned Business 
Dan didn’t grow up thinking about worms. He just saw a problem and started asking how to solve it. 
He built a process to convert waste into premium worm castings—a natural fertilizer packed with nutrients that improves soil health without chemical inputs. 
But Dan didn’t stop there. 
Why Worm Castings Matter 
If you’ve never used worm castings, you’re not alone. But once you do, you’ll discover things about your soil you never knew. 
Worm castings: 
Help plants absorb nutrients better  
Improve water retention in soil  
Boost natural microbial activity  
Add long-lasting fertility without burning crops  
Dan believes in feeding the soil, not just the plants—and that starts with high-quality inputs like compost and castings that don’t just disappear after one rain. 
He even developed a “teabag” version of worm castings that customers can brew into compost tea and put straight onto crops.  
From Waste to Wealth—For More Than Just Him 
One of the things I admire most about Dan is how much he wants others to benefit too. His goal is to show producers how this can work for them. 
Dan lists his products right on HitchPin, where customers looking for soil-building fertilizers can find exactly what they need. And for farmers or ranchers who want to learn what is possible on their ground, he’s more than willing to help. 
HitchPin + Fed N Happy = A Smarter Way to Sell 
HitchPin was built to support businesses like Dan’s—innovators who see value in every part of their operation. Whether you're selling livestock, equipment, feed, or worm castings, HitchPin makes it easy to connect with buyers and grow your bottom line. 
Opportunity Awaits 
“Don’t overlook what’s under your feet.” 
There’s opportunity in your operation. If you’re ready to try something new, learn more about soil health, or just see what’s possible outside of practices you’ve been using, this episode is worth a listen. 

Built to Last: How M3 Welding & Fabrication Is Supporting Show Barns Across the U.S.

Some of the best ag businesses start with a simple idea and a whole lot of grit. That’s the case for M3 Welding & Fabrication, a custom manufacturing shop in Alma, Kansas, run by Hunter and Stephanie Maike. What started as a hobby in high school ag shop has turned into a growing business that’s now delivering show pens and barn equipment across the country. 
From Side Hustle to Full-Time Shop 
Hunter’s passion for welding grew early, but it wasn’t until a large order came through that he and Stephanie made the decision to go all in. They launched M3 Welding & Fabrication three years ago and haven’t looked back. Every piece is custom-built to the buyer’s specs—from goat and hog pens to hay feeders and wash racks. 
Hunter handles fabrication. Stephanie balances the books. Together, they’re raising three young kids while running the business and managing a full-time town job. 
100% Custom, Built for Real Life 
Every barn is different, and M3 doesn’t do one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re a family with a backyard 4-H project or a county fairgrounds outfitting a full barn, Hunter walks each customer through: 
What space they have 
What animals they’re housing 
Whether the setup needs to be portable or permanent 
How to make their investment last 
They’ve built hay feeders that shrink with each bite, trailer setups for portable pens, and low-profile fronts without overhead bars. If you can dream it, Hunter can probably build it. 
Serving Families, Fairs & More 
M3 Welding & Fabrication serves both individual show families and larger customers like fairgrounds. Most of their work actually comes from outside Kansas. Deliveries double as family trips, with Stephanie joking that their "vacations" are usually hauling custom equipment. 
Hunter and Stephanie also offer flexible pricing options to make their equipment more accessible—especially for youth exhibitors and 4-H groups. They understand the ag world because they live it. 
Meeting Growth Challenges Head-On 
Like many small ag businesses, the Maikes have faced hurdles as they’ve grown. From managing timelines to balancing family life and order volume, it’s a constant juggle. 
One big win? Partnering with HitchPin to offer Instant Invoicing. Before HitchPin, checks in the mail could delay orders for weeks. Now, payments are fast, easy, and secure. 
“It saves us time, builds trust with customers, and lets us get started on projects sooner,” Stephanie shared. 
Where to Find M3 Welding & Fabrication 
You can explore their current listings and get in touch by visiting their HitchPin storefront: HitchPin.com/M3WeldingFabrication 
From rabbit pens to show hog panels to heavy-duty hay spears, if it belongs in a barn and needs to last, M3 can make it happen. And they'll treat you like family while doing it. 
If you’re ready to take your show barn or livestock setup to the next level, M3 Welding & Fabrication is a name you can trust—built from the ground up by folks who know ag. 

From Kansas Roots to National Reach: How Bathurst & Sons is Growing with Purpose

When I sat down with Jeff Bathurst of Bathurst & Sons LLC, I didn’t just hear a farm story—I heard a legacy. Five generations of hard work, hay, and heart. Based in Abilene, Kansas, Jeff and his family grow crops like sunflowers, milo, soybeans, corn, wheat, and alfalfa hay, while also raising cattle and kids (six of them, to be exact). 
Jeff jokes that their farm motto could be "raising quality crops, kids, and cattle," and honestly, it fits. 
A Deep Family Legacy 
The Bathurst family has been in Dickinson County for generations, starting with Jeff’s great-grandfather who once ran a general store in the small town of Talmage. Over time, they shifted from teaching to farming full-time, and now Jeff, his dad, and their kids are carrying it forward. 
His brother once worked alongside them too, before following a calling to become a missionary in Malawi. It’s clear the Bathursts are a family rooted in both faith and hard work. 
Adapting to a Changing Ag Economy 
Over the years, the Bathursts have watched the ag landscape shift around them. When Jeff first started, most of their hay went to local dairies. Today, those dairies are gone, and most of their product is shipped out of state. That shift pushed them to think bigger, finding new ways to reach customers and keep the operation moving. 
"It used to be all local," Jeff said. "Now, we’re shipping hay all over the country." 
That change hasn’t been easy. Between droughts, inflation, and shifting markets, keeping the farm running has taken more than grit. It’s taken adaptability. Jeff brought in H-2A workers from South Africa to help during the busiest seasons, and he’s taken on the role of project manager—keeping equipment running, managing cattle, and planning ahead for the crew. 
The Good Stuff 
Ask Jeff what he loves most about farming and you’ll hear it plain as day: 
Watching baby calves play before turn-out 
Seeing a harvest go off without a hitch 
Running equipment alongside his kids 
The moments are small, but they stick. And they’re what keep folks like Jeff going. 
Marketing in a Modern World 
Jeff’s not afraid to admit that marketing can be tough. He still sells a lot through local elevators, but he’s always watching for better bids, better margins, and more meaningful connections. And that’s where HitchPin comes in. 
Jeff grew up with Trevor McKeeman, HitchPin’s founder, and decided to give the platform a try as a way to list hay and connect with buyers beyond his local circle. Today, you can find alfalfa and dairy hay on his HitchPin storefront, with the ability to arrange shipping nationwide. 
"The broader your market, the better," Jeff told me. "And there’s no broader market than the internet." 
Why This Work Matters 
For Jeff, success isn’t about massive expansion. It’s about keeping the farm strong enough to hand off to the next generation. 
"I want the farm financially sound, so if one of the kids wants to come back, they can." 
In a time where many family farms are folding under pressure, that’s no small thing. And tools like HitchPin are helping make it possible. By creating an online storefront, Jeff is expanding his reach, building trust, and giving buyers an easier way to connect. 
You can check out what Bathurst & Sons LLC has listed by visiting HitchPin.com and searching their name. If you need quality hay and want to buy from a family that treats the land and its people with care, you’ll be glad you did. 

Filling the Gap: How Kaw River Ag Solutions is Helping Kansas Farmers Build Better Soils

When I sat down with Brandon Cowley, owner of Kaw River Ag Solutions, I could tell right away he was someone who doesn’t just talk about supporting farmers—he shows up and gets to work. After 24 years in ag retail and co-op management, Brandon saw a gap in the market and took a leap to do something about it. 
And it’s paying off faster than he expected. 
A Business Built on Relationships 
Brandon and his wife launched Kaw River Ag Solutions out of Wamego, Kansas. They provide custom spray application, fertilizers, biologicals, and soil additives that help local producers grow better crops and build healthier soils. 
Brandon started with realistic goals, but the need for better, personalized service helped his business grow three times faster than expected. It turns out, when people know you, trust you, and can count on you to pick up the phone, they want to work with you. 
Why Local Service Still Matters 
In a region where co-ops and national companies dominate, Brandon’s independent approach brings something a lot of folks were missing: flexibility, price transparency, and personal attention. He’s not trying to out-scale anyone—he’s simply meeting people where they are. 
Many producers today aren’t looking for patronage down the line. They want a fair price up front, service when they need it, and someone who understands their ground. Brandon knows that because he’s lived it. 
He’s also willing to pivot. He’s adjusted his product line, sourced new options when needed, and focused on what his customers actually want—not just what’s been done before. 
Smart Growth with a Steady Hand 
Kaw River Ag started with herbicides and biologicals, but quickly grew into liquid fertilizer as demand rolled in. That meant new tanks, more equipment, and higher overhead—but Brandon planned ahead. He keeps his equipment costs tight, his service pricing steady, and his product margins reasonable. 
“If I’m making money on the machine running through the field, I’m going to cut my margin on the product,” he told me. “That’s how I help my customers stay profitable, too.” 
And that’s why so many local farmers are supporting him in return—some even offering their own labor or equipment to help keep things moving. 
HitchPin as a Time-Saving Tool 
With everything on his plate, Brandon admits he hasn’t used his HitchPin storefront to its full potential yet—but the idea is already working for him. HitchPin gives him a trusted place to list proprietary products, and a path to reach customers without always needing to hit the phones or schedule extra meetings. 
As his wife steps more into the business, they plan to expand their listings and take full advantage of the platform. For a business that’s growing this fast, HitchPin offers a digital support system that’s easy to use, and built with agriculture in mind. 
Get Connected with Kaw River Ag Solutions 
If you’re in northeast Kansas and looking for a local partner who understands what’s really happening in your fields, check out Brandon’s storefront at HitchPin.com/Kaw River Ag Solutions. 
He may be busy, but he’s not too busy to make sure the job gets done right—and in today’s ag economy, that’s exactly what folks are looking for. 

Helping Livestock Producers Shine Online

Marketing might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about raising livestock, but for Allison May, it’s become a way to help producers tell their stories, grow their reach, and move their business forward. 
Allison owns Pinnacle Livestock Solutions, a business based in Greenfield, Indiana, that provides digital and social media marketing services tailored for livestock producers. And while Pinnacle is just a year old, Allison’s path to launching it started long before. 
From the Show Ring to Storytelling 
Allison grew up on a fifth-generation family farm in New Jersey, raising livestock and showing in 4-H. She later earned her degree in animal science from Penn State and followed a path through animal nutrition and reproduction before stepping into the marketing world. 
Her work in the livestock space—and her love of sales and connection—led her to create Pinnacle. What started with helping her own family farm and a few organizations quickly became a full-time business. 
“I’ve always been the hype girl,” Allison said. “I love seeing people succeed and helping them connect their story with the people who need to hear it.” 
Marketing that Feels Real 
Allison doesn’t believe in one-size-fits-all marketing. Instead, she focuses on helping livestock producers feel confident about telling their stories—without the pressure to be something they’re not. 
“Not everyone wants to go viral or dance on TikTok,” she said. “And that’s okay. What matters is being authentic. When people can see the real story behind your operation, that’s what builds trust and drives sales.” 
She helps clients manage social media, advertise online, and build meaningful content that reflects who they are and what they offer. Whether it’s showcasing cattle genetics, sharing product photos, or building connections with new customers, Allison’s goal is simple: help producers show up in the right way, in the right places. 
Tips for Marketing in Ag 
Here are a few things Allison says make a big difference when marketing an ag business: 
Stay consistent. People need to see your brand 30–40 times before they take action. 
Quality content matters. A strong photo or graphic can make someone stop scrolling. A bad one can hurt your brand. 
Be clear with your direction. Whether you’re working with a family member or a social media manager, be honest about what’s working and what isn’t. 
Don’t chase followers. Focus on attracting the right audience, not just a bigger one. 
Why Online Sales Need More Trust 
As Allison helps producers move more of their business online, she’s also been an early user of HitchPin’s Instant Invoicing feature. For her, tools like this add much-needed confidence to digital sales. 
“Selling online means there’s more room for confusion or unmet expectations,” she said. “What I love about HitchPin is that it helps protect both the buyer and the seller, and it gives you a real person to talk to.” 
Whether she’s helping a rancher sell cattle or promoting a homemade ag product, Allison uses HitchPin to connect producers to the right buyers while making the transaction safe and simple. 
Find Pinnacle Livestock Solutions on HitchPin 
If you’re ready to start marketing your business or improving how you show up online, check out Allison’s storefront on HitchPin. She offers social media management, ad campaign support, and practical help to take the guesswork out of digital marketing. 
Just head to HitchPin.com and search for Pinnacle Livestock Solutions to see how Allison’s helping livestock producers shine online. 

Meet the Rancher Who Turned a 4-H Project into a Lamb Business

Farming isn’t about standing still—it’s about evolving, season after season. That’s something I’ve learned firsthand talking with folks like Glenn Brunkow, a fifth-generation farmer from Wamego, Kansas, who’s taken his family’s rich agricultural history and turned it into something new. 
Glenn runs Brunkow Family Lamb, a diversified farm that’s been in the family since the 1880s. What started as a few 4-H lambs for the kids has grown into a flock of 70 sheep, all raised for high-quality, grain-fed lamb. And while the kids have moved on, the lambs stayed—and the business kept growing. 
From Dairy to Direct-to-Consumer 
Glenn’s family farm didn’t always look like this. Over the years, they’ve raised dairy cows, hogs, and beef cattle. But after buying out his dad and sitting down with his wife to decide where to focus, they leaned into livestock and shifted the operation toward a mix of beef cattle and sheep. 
They also made some big changes to the land. Glenn transitioned lower-performing crop ground into intensively grazed cover crops, co-grazing sheep and cattle to maximize the land’s potential. This shift also allowed them to reduce equipment needs and focus more on livestock. 
And then came a bold step: selling lamb directly to customers. 
How Brunkow Lamb Found Its Market 
At first, Glenn sold lamb to a local butcher shop. But when that shop closed, he and his wife took the leap into direct-to-consumer sales. Now, they offer everything from ground lamb to leg of lamb, racks, stew meat, and more. 
They started simple—with whole and half lamb sales—and slowly added more cuts as customers requested them. They even added stew meat because folks kept asking for it. Glenn’s biggest tip for anyone wanting to sell direct-to-consumer? Start small. Keep it simple. Let your product speak for itself. 
These days, their best sellers are leg and rack cuts, and they’ve even had to buy lambs to keep up with customer demand. It’s been that successful. 
Making Lamb Easy to Love 
Lamb isn’t always a familiar meat in Kansas kitchens, but Glenn and his wife are helping change that. They include cooking tips and easy recipes with every sale—like marinating chops in Italian dressing and tossing them on the grill. 
Because their lamb is grain-fed, it has a mild flavor that wins over new customers who may have had a different experience with grass-fed lamb. Their goal is to make it easy for folks to try it—and even easier to come back for more. 
Selling Online with HitchPin 
As demand for local meat grew, Glenn added a new tool to the toolbox: an online storefront on HitchPin. 
HitchPin makes it easy for producers like Glenn to list and sell farm products, whether it’s lamb, beef, hay, or equipment. With a secure platform and built-in audience of ag buyers, it’s a simple way to reach new customers without losing the personal connection. 
Glenn likes that selling online gives smaller farms a way to compete and capture more of the value they create. It may not always beat the top of the market, but it helps protect from the bottom—and that kind of stability is worth a lot. 
Advice for Other Farmers 
When I asked Glenn what advice he’d give to others thinking about selling their products direct, he said it comes down to this: 
Keep your product list simple at first 
Start with whole or half animals before jumping into cuts 
Be ready to pivot—customers change how they want to shop every year 
Don’t underestimate the power of returning customers 
If you’re curious about trying lamb or looking to stock up for your next gathering, check out Brunkow Family Lamb on HitchPin. They’ve got Easter leg of lamb, rack cuts, stew meat, and more—plus the know-how to help you cook it right the first time. 
Visit their storefront at HitchPin.com and search "Brunkow Family Lamb" to see what’s available. 

How One Family Farm is Growing with HitchPin

Farming has never been a one-size-fits-all business. Every operation is different, shaped by the land, the family working it, and the challenges they face. That’s exactly the case for Jesse Welch and his family, who are taking their farm in Tonganoxie, Kansas, to new heights by blending tradition with innovation. 
Rooted in Tradition, Growing for the Future 
Jesse and his family moved from Reno, Nevada, back to their Kansas roots to take over their family farm, which has been in operation for more than a hundred years. Over the decades, the farm has evolved—from raising sheep and dairy cows to focusing on row crops like hay and soybeans. But Jesse saw an opportunity to do more. 
Instead of sticking to just one path, Jesse and his wife took a hands-on approach to diversifying their operation. They experimented with different crops, eventually finding success with squash and pumpkins on a two-acre plot. On top of that, they started raising chickens, expanding into egg production and meat birds. Their goal? Keep building something sustainable for the future while keeping their farm traditions alive. 
The Challenge of Scaling Up 
Like many farmers, Jesse quickly realized that growth comes with challenges—one of the biggest being equipment. 
“We have tractors, trucks, and the basics, but when you start moving bigger and heavier products, you need the right tools to make it work,” Jesse shared. 
For example, when listing hay bales and hedge posts on HitchPin, he ran into a common hurdle: customers were interested, but self-loading heavy items wasn’t ideal. That’s where scaling up the right way became essential, ensuring buyers could get what they needed with less hassle. 
Turning Hay into Revenue with HitchPin 
One of Jesse’s biggest successes came from an unexpected place—old hay. Like many farmers, he had a barn full of hay that he assumed would end up as waste. But through HitchPin, he found buyers who needed affordable feed options. In no time, he sold over 600 bales, turning what could have been a loss into a profitable transaction. 
Beyond just making a sale, Jesse found something even more valuable: connections. 
“What’s been really great is after a sale, I’ve been able to collaborate with other farmers. That network has been huge,” Jesse explained. 
A Marketplace Built for Agriculture 
For Jesse, HitchPin solved a problem that many farmers and ranchers face—finding the right place to buy and sell. Before using HitchPin, options were limited. 
“It was either eBay, which isn’t really built for farm stuff, or Facebook Marketplace, which has its own challenges. HitchPin is made for ag—it’s a place where you can actually see what things are selling for in your area,” Jesse said. 
Price discovery has been a game-changer for him. Instead of guessing at prices based on Google searches, he can see what’s fair and competitive based on actual farm transactions in his region. 
The Future of Welch Farms 
Jesse and his family aren’t slowing down anytime soon. Along with their growing row crops and poultry business, they’re looking to expand into firewood and lumber sales, taking advantage of the natural resources on their land. They also plan to sell equipment they no longer need, helping other farmers find reliable tools at fair prices. 
“I think just getting involved is key,” Jesse said. “Even if you’re not selling right away, using HitchPin to see what’s out there and understand the market makes a big difference.” 
If you’re looking for hay, hedge posts, or soon-to-come farm products from Welch Farms, check out their HitchPin storefront. And if you’re a farmer wondering how to reach more buyers and make sales easier, Jesse’s advice is simple: start today. 
Ready to take your farm business to the next level? Explore how HitchPin can work for you. 

Building a Business on the Land: How One Nebraska Farmer is Thriving with HitchPin

Farming isn’t just a job—it’s a way of life. For Jolene Dunbar of 88 Custom Hay in Almeria, Nebraska, that way of life has always revolved around hay and forage. With deep family roots in agriculture, Jolene has taken her passion for haying and turned it into a thriving business, overcoming challenges and embracing technology to connect with more customers. 
A Life Rooted in Agriculture 
Jolene grew up in the hayfield, literally. She remembers as a young girl watching the men work, waiting for the day when she could finally reach the pedals on the tractor and join them. That dream became a reality when she took over part of her family’s operation and, later, expanded it into 88 Custom Hay alongside her business partner, Jacob Stern. 
Today, their operation covers over 340 acres of irrigated land, producing high-quality hay and forage, including millet, alfalfa, rye, and cane. They also offer custom baling and trucking services, covering multiple Nebraska counties. 
Challenges of Running a Forage Business 
Growing hay isn’t like growing grain. Jolene explains that there’s little financial security for forage farmers—no government programs to fall back on, no standardized pricing. It’s a business built on trust, handshake deals, and navigating unpredictable markets. 
One of the biggest hurdles? The ongoing drought. “If it keeps up, this will be our fourth year of drought,” Jolene says. Low yields and declining hay quality have made it tougher for both producers and buyers. 
On top of that, labor shortages and soaring equipment costs add more pressure. “We solve our labor issues with equipment,” Jolene says, “but the price of machinery and parts just keeps climbing.” 
How HitchPin is Changing the Game 
For Jolene, HitchPin has been a game-changer. Before discovering the platform, marketing hay was limited to local newspaper ads or word-of-mouth. But with HitchPin, she can reach buyers across the region without the hassle of dealing with traditional marketplaces like Facebook. 
“Posting on HitchPin is simple, and it gets the job done,” Jolene explains. She appreciates that it’s built specifically for agriculture, unlike other platforms where farm products often get lost in the mix. The ability to quickly list available hay and forage, update inventory as needed, and connect with serious buyers has made a big difference in her business. 
Growing for the Future 
Despite the challenges, Jolene is optimistic about the future of agriculture. She sees younger generations stepping up to take over family farms, bringing fresh ideas and new energy. She’s also deeply involved in her community, volunteering with 4-H and serving on local ag boards to help support and educate the next generation of farmers. 
“There’s plenty of work for everyone,” Jolene says. “Instead of competing, we need to lift each other up.” 
With her strong commitment to family, farming, and community, Jolene represents the best of rural America. And with HitchPin in her corner, she’s making sure her hay and forage operation continues to thrive. 
Find 88 Custom Hay on HitchPin 
Looking for quality hay, baling services, or trucking solutions? Check out 88 Custom Hay on HitchPin, where Jolene and her team are ready to help.  
Ready to take your farm business to the next level? Explore how HitchPin can work for you. 

How Tractor Tuesday and HitchPin Are Changing Online Auctions for Farmers

Farming is built on trust, transparency, and good neighbors who look out for each other. That’s exactly what Zach Bosle, founder of Tractor Tuesday, believes in as he reshapes the online auction world for farmers and ranchers. His partnership with HitchPin is making it easier than ever to buy and sell farm equipment with confidence. 
From the Farm to the Auction Space 
Zach is a sixth-generation farmer from Hastings, Nebraska, who grew up in production agriculture. His background includes row crops, farrowing sows, and feeding cattle. But over time, he found himself drawn to a different side of the industry—helping farmers sell and buy equipment more efficiently. 
After years of running auctions under another brand, Zach realized the industry needed a better solution. He saw firsthand how high commissions, hidden fees, and a lack of transparency made it difficult for farmers to trust online sales. That’s when he launched Tractor Tuesday—an auction platform designed to put farmers first. 
What Makes Tractor Tuesday Different? 
The online auction space is competitive, but Tractor Tuesday stands out in key ways: 
No Commission for Sellers – Farmers listing equipment on Tractor Tuesday pay zero commission. The platform instead uses a simple listing fee, keeping costs predictable and fair. 
Transparent Buyer Fees – Buyers pay a 2% premium, a small price for the security and ease of online transactions. 
No Proxy Bidding – Unlike other auctions, Tractor Tuesday doesn’t use auto-bidding. When you place a bid, that’s the bid—just like a live auction. This keeps the process fair, honest, and transparent. 
Real People, Real Bids – The platform ensures verified buyers and makes bid histories visible so farmers know they’re dealing with real people, not automated systems. 
Partnering with HitchPin for Instant Invoicing 
A big part of making online auctions successful is handling payments safely. That’s where HitchPin’s Instant Invoicing comes in. This system gives farmers confidence by ensuring funds are secure, transactions are processed quickly, and both buyers and sellers know exactly where their money is at every step. 
“We wanted a system that made transactions seamless,” Zach explains. “With HitchPin’s Instant Invoicing, sellers don’t have to chase payments, and buyers don’t have to worry about where their money is.” 
The Future of Tractor Tuesday 
Tractor Tuesday is just getting started. The company plans to hold six to nine auctions per year, including seasonal sales, specialty equipment sales, and even bank liquidation sales to help farmers looking for deals. They’re also expanding their presence in farm shows, television, and radio to reach even more producers. 
As Zach puts it, “Every day is a battle, but we’re working to make online equipment sales as simple and fair as possible.” 
How to Get Involved 
If you’re looking to buy or sell farm equipment, check out Tractor Tuesday at TractorTuesday.com. Sign up for their newsletter to stay updated on upcoming auctions, or follow them on social media for the latest listings. 
For a better, more transparent auction experience backed by HitchPin, Tractor Tuesday is proving that farmers can still do business the right way—with fairness, trust, and a handshake, even in a digital world.